Library 2.0 and that community thing
The library world has been kicking around the definition of Library 2.0 and what’s truly new. Meanwhile Rochelle has a pretty good take on 2.0 from a somewhat different perspective–as part of a discussion on libraries and the concept of community.
Ideally the library world will spend a little less time spelling out the details of “new”–and a lot more time discussing specific ways for Library 2.0 to come about as a community-builder to augment the old-fashioned brick, mortar and sneaker variety.
As Rochelle correctly sees it, an important part of Library 2.0 is the ability of readers to “discuss and annotate and share.” This is “all about communing, about collaboration, albeit without literal perambulation. I don’t think one necessarily needs to move one’s legs in order to keep the ideas flowing.” Exactly! A Christian Science Monitor commentary, blind to the potential of e-books and other technology as community builders, is way off.
But how actually to implement various 2.0-related concepts, new or not? As a civilian, I would like to see librarians more about particulars such as, “What kinds of embedded in-book discussions or what kinds of catalog entries need moderation?” Less term-parsing, please–and more practicality! In fact, instead of thinking, “What do we need to do to get The Library 2.0 seal of approval,” librarians should think, “What specific services do our patrons need, and how do we make them happen?”
January 31st, 2006 at 2:50 pm
I wouldn’t call Alex Wright clueless. I emailed him to thank him for his piece because I still strongly believe in libraries as physical destinations–just not exclusively. I feel confident that Wright “gets” libraries as a virtual destination, but was putting aside that piece of the discussion to focus on his very important point.
I think he was not too far off in his statement that
“The current vision of the digital library rests on a deeply flawed assumption: that the function of libraries is to connect solitary readers with isolated texts.” It just so happens that you are away ahead of that point, David. I’m excited about being able to blow this model out of the water (save for the monks among us)!
January 31st, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Hey, Rochelle, thanks for your thoughts here. I certainly agree with Alex Wright on the importance of the physical side of libraries–but hope he’ll eventually come around to understanding the community potential of the virtual side as well. As for solitary text and digital libraries, that’ll depend on the user and the use. But, yes, e-libraries badly need to acquire the community capaiblities of physical libraries. I’m indeed thinking of the potential ahead. Our “current vision,” alas, is ahead of the much of the rest of the world’s. You’re absolutely right in emphasizing that distinction. Thanks. David